Railway car axle



Jan. 15, 1952 F, s, WILLIAMS 2,582,516

RAILWAY CAR AXLE FiledMaroh 15, 1947 s sheets-sheet 1 Jan. l5, 1952 F'.s. WILLIAMS RAILWAY CAR AXLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March l5, 194'?INVENTOR.

Maag@ m'amr TM who@ Jan. 15, 1952 F. s. WILLIAMS 2,582,516

RAILWAY CAR AXLE Filed March 15, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

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Patented Jan. 15, i952 wir!) srATEs ATENT GFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in the journal end portions ofrailway car axles. The main object of my invention is to provide aconstruction which will 4keep new or worn axle journals in operation fora longer period of time than at present.

At the present time, when an axle journal diameter or length is worndownto the condemning limits the entire axle is scrapped. If it be worndown unevenly, it is sometimes turned down sev eral times during itscourse of wear to 4a smaller uniform diameter and circumferencethroughout its length. As the axle wears down in use it is apparent thatthe circumference and diameter thus become smaller. P. J. Hogan hasinvented a Journal Bearing Structure, Patent No. 2,220,717 in `which thejournal bearing or brass which is mounted in the journal box has acurved lower surface supported on the cylindrical journalling endportion of the vaxle and has a rigid waste defleeting guard lipdepending from each bottom side thereof, extending substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis for a distance of most of the lengthof said cylindrical journalling portion, with the inner surface andlower edge of each guard lip spaced such a Adistance from said jour.-nal portion as to dam the ilow of waste to prevent waste grabs betweenthe axle and journal bearing surface. This device works very well solong as the journal end portion of the axle retains its originalcircumference, but as the journal portion of the axle wears down in use,the distance -between the surface of said journal portion and said guardlip increases in use, so that the guard lips no longer provide as good adamming. action to prevent the oil soaked waste normally located in thecompartment of the journal box `below the axle journalling portion, frombeing `carried up and between the brass and the surface of the ro.-tating axle journalling portion, with the detrimental results describedin said patent.

One object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a railroad carjournal which will last a longer time in use. In accordance with myinvention, as the present axle journal wears or nears its condemninglimit in use, I remove the axle and uniformly turn down the journal andcollar end portions to an even circumference throughout its length. Ithen cover the turned down end with a lining sleeve, preferably byshrinking it over the turned down axle, said sleeve preferably having aclosed end portion having holes to receive means such as bolts or screwsto secure said sleeve to said axle end portion against rotary andlateral movements. In order that such a shrunk on sleeve may be moreeasily retained over the turned down axle portion, I preferablyconstruct the sleeve of a metal having a smaller coeicient of expansionthan said axle so that'l the axle will expand radially outwardlyrelative thereto to more tightly bind the sleeve to the axle journalwithout having the sleeve expand away from the axle journal. Prior toapplication of the sleeve, the axle may be magnauxed for defects and iffound to be fit, is provided with such a sleeve which has an outersurface of substantially `the original diameter and circumference of theaxle journalling end portion and an inner surface substantially thediameter of the worn or turned down axle portion. If desired, however,the axle journal portion prior to any use may be turned down to acircumference to externally vreceive linings constructed in accordancewith my invention, `which may be replaced as Worn down in use withouthaving to again turn down the axle.

I preferably cover my improved sleeve with a wear resistant layer ofmetal or may, if desired, construct it throughout of a material havinggreater wear resistance or a lower coefficient of friction than theinitial material of the axle. For this purpose I have found the methodof chromium .plating described in the Van der Horst patent issued onMarch 23, 1943, No. 2,314,604 very satisfactory in that it provides amuch harder surface reducing the coeflicient of friction between the.wearing surface 0f the journal and bearing thus prolonging lthe life ofboth. With this method, cavities are provided in the surface of thesleeve for holding oil to provide better lubrication. If desired, theaxle `before being used at all, may be turned down toa diameter toreceive the sleeve to be applied prior to use, with its hard wearresistant surface, `preferably chromium, thereby providing va journalsurface that will last longer inuse than the usual bearing surface `ofthe steel journal end portion of the axle but also provide aconstruction which will permit lworn sleeves to be successively removedand replaced .with new sleeves for an indefinite period of time therebylengthening the life of the axle journal portions manifold.

A further result of my invention is that I provide a combination withthe Hogan guard lip heretofore described and my improved sleeve of astructure which will reduce the likelihood of waste grabs, -as thedistance between the guard lip and the worn journal bearing surface doesnot become sufciently large to permit waste grabs, whether my improvedsleeve be used on new axles or on worn down steel journal portions orsleeves having hard wear resistant surfaces are successively used. Myinvention, therefore, comprises means to maintain the proper waste grabpreventing distance over a long period oi time thereby rendering morepractical the structure shown and claimed in said Hogan patent.

A further object of my invention is to reduce the likelihood of wastegrabs between the brass and journal even if the Hogan lip be notemployed.

A further object of a specic embodiment of my invention is to provide asleeve which is of uniform circumference and diameter throughout itslength when means other than the usual upstanding collar or rim on theend of the axle journal are provided in the structure of the journal orbearing itself, to prevent outward axial relative movement of the axle.It is obvious that such a collarless structure permits the bearings orbrasses to be more readily removed by merely pulling out the journalbrass over the free end of the journal, after the journal box has beenjacked up and the wedge released and removed, without the removal of thejournal box. It is also obvious that my improved sleeve may also bepulled out by jacking up the journal box, releasing -and removing thewedge and journal brass, removing the jack, taking off the journal boxand pulling oi the worn sleeve from the end of the axle and replacing itwith a new one.

A further object of the collarless sleeve embodiment of my invention isto provide a structure which will permit more frequent and betterinspections of the journal surface in use to ascertain the amount ofwear thereon, as it is obvious that the absence of the collar makesinspection of the entire bearing surfaces much easier. It is alsoapparent that the number of necessary renewals oi brasses will besubstantially lessened as all renewals of worn brasses due to wearthereon caused by the collar will be eliminated.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appearwill be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate embodiments thereof.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference generally indicatelike parts throughout,

Fig. 1 is a vertical central longitudinal view through a journal box andadjacent wheel hub showing the axle in elevation, including the centerportion on the ends of which the wheels are mounted and an endjournalling portion of a smaller diameter usually mounted in a journalbox, as shown.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through a journal box taken alongline 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View showing how the journal end of anaxle wears in use.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view looking upwardly through thejournal box along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of my improved liner.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation thereof taken from the inner end.

Fig. 7 is a vertical, central, longitudinal View taken through a portionof the journal box similar to Fig. 1, showing a diierent embodiment ofmy liner employed.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the embodiment of liner employed in Fig.7.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation looking from the inner end of the specificembodiment of liner shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View 4 similar to Fig. 1,showing a still further embodiment of liner and an alternative type ofmeans comprising a lip projecting downwardly from the wedge member overthe outer ends of the axle liner and brass for preventing lateral swaybetween the journal box and axle.

Fig. 1l is a Vertical sectional View taken through the journal box shownin Fig. 10 along the line Il-I I.

Fig. l2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of my improved liner shownin Figs. 11 and 12 having an open outer end, with the end portion brokenaway and shown in section.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference generally indicatelike parts throughout, 20 generally indicates a lining sleeve for use inrailway car axles constructed in accordance with my invention. Myimproved lining sleeve 20 is adapted for use on railway car axles 2lwhich have a center portion 22 extending outwardly beyond the wheels 24,the hubs 26 of which are shown fastened on the ends 23 of said centerportion 22. Railway car axles in standard use today have a portion 30 ofslightly reduced diameter beyond said wheel attaching portion to t intothe journal box 32, end journalling portions 34 of smaller diameter andinwardly, radially arcuately flaring portions 36 joining said centerportions 22-30 and journalling portions 34 together to help preventoutward relative axial swing ofsaid axle. The end journalling portion 34of the axle rotates in a journal box 32 which contains a mass of oilsoaked lubricating waste or packing material 40, packed in the lowerportion of said journal box, a bearing member or journal bearing orjournal brass 42 for the axle of generally semicircular formation,having a curved lower surface 44 supported on said cylindrical endjournalling portion 34 within the journal box and a retainer wedge orkey 46 having the key projection 48 abutting a shoulder 50 on thejournal box for assisting in securely holding the bearing member orbrass in place in the journal box 32 and on said end journalling portion34. A bearing pad portion 52 of lead, babbitt or other soft bearingmetal is fastened to the lower curved surface of said brass 42. Fig. 3illustrates how the end journalling portion 34 wears down in use fromthe solid outer line, rst to the dash line and then to the dash dot linewhich becomes its condemning limit. After it has reached this condemninglimit, the whole axle has to be scrapped. If it be worn down unevenly,it is sometimes turned down several times during its course of wear to auniform circumference throughout its length. If the journalling portion34 wears down in use, it is apparent that the circumference and diameterthereof become smaller as illustrated in Fig. 3. In accordance with myinvention, as the axle journal 34 nears its condemning limit in use, itmay be worn down in its cylindrical portion 34 or in its arcuatelycurved portion 36 or both and when turned down in accordance with theprior art, it is preferably turned down evenly through both saidportions. In accordance with my invention, I, therefore, place said axle2| in a lathe and uniformly turn down the journalling portion 34 to aneven circumference throughout its length and I similarly turn down thearcuate portion 36 thereof a similar amount. I then cover thejournalling portion with my improved lining sleeve 20, preferably byshrinking it over the worn turned down axle. For this purpose the sleeve20 has an outer surface 54 of substantially the original circumferenceofthe axle end'pcrtion and an inner surface 56 of substantially vthecircumference and diameter of the worn turned down axle portion 58preferably having a cooperating inner end 60 flaring radially outwardlyand terminating in a lip 62 flush with the circumference of said axlecenter portion 30 with its inner end abutting the also worn flaring axleportion 3S connecting said axle center portion 22 and end journallingportion 34. Said sleeve, if desired, may be shrunk over the Worn axle byheating in any well known manner. In all embodiments of my inventionshownexcept the embodiments shown in Figs. -12, said lining sleeve hasthe closed end portion e4 having holes 65 to receive means such as thescrews 53 fitting through said holes and into holes It in the ends ofsaid journalling portion 34 to secure said sleeve 2t to said axle endportion 34 against rotary movement with the flaring lip t@ thereofoverlapping said flaring axle portion 35. `In order that said sleeve 2tmay be retained in position on said worn axle portion, it is preferablyconstructed of a material or steel having a smaller coefficient ofexpansion than the steel of which the axle journalling portion 34 isconstructed to help maintain said sleeve on said axle end portion. Mostaxles today are provided with a colar 12 of greater diameter andcircumference than that of the axle end portion 34 on the outer endthereof, so that the annular portion i4 of the collar exterior of thejournalling portion 3@ may abut the brass 42 to stop inward axialmovement of said axle in said journal box. L therefore, as in theembodiment shown in Figs. i-.G preferably provide my improved sleevewith such a collar '12 and where employed, turn down the previous collarwhich had existed on said worn axle before placing my improved sleeveover the end of the axle. axle may be magnauxed for defects.

I preferably cover the surface of my improved sleeve 2U with a wearresistant layer it of metal or'may, if desired, construct the entiresleeve throughout of a material having greater wear re sistance or alower coefficient of friction than the initial material of the axle. Forthis purpose I have found the method of chromium plating described inVan der Horst kpatent issued March 23, 1MB-No. 2,314,604-verysatisfactory, lin that it provides a much harder surface re `ducing thecoefficient of friction between the wearing surfaces of the journal andbearing, thus Vprolonging the life of both and employing this method,cavities are provided in the surface of the liner for holding oil toprovide better lubrication and the surface provided is so hard that itwill `quickly carboniae and dissipate a shred of Waste which wouldnormally remain between the journal and bearing and cause a wiper,stopping the lubrication thereof.

If desired, however, in place of using my improved sleeves on a worndown journalling portion 34, they may be employed on said journallingportions from their first use in which case the axle journal portionsprior to any use are turned down to a circumference to initially receivesleeves constructed in accordance with my invention and which may, ifdesired, be provided with the hard wear resistant outer surface lil,which may be successively replaced as worn down in use without having toagain turn down the axle, and it is apparent that this structure permitsworn sleeves to be successively removed and replaced with new sleevesfor an indefinite period of time without having to turn down the Priorto applicating the lining sleeve, the

axle, thereby lengthening the life of the axle journalling portionsmanifold. In this instance, the axle end journalling portion 34 isuniformly turned down throughout its length prior to any use, to adiameter providing a circumference less than the desired circumferentialbearing surface and the sleeve Z0 has an exterior surface of the desiredcircumferential bearing surface of said axle end portion and an innersurface of substantially the diameter of said turned downaxle endportion.

I have shown in Figs. 7-9 an alternative embodiment 2D and in Figs.10-12 a still further embodiment 2G of sleeve both embodiments omittingthe usual collar 12 of larger diameter on the outer end thereof and theembodiments shown in Figs. 10-12 having an open outer end 'il andthereby having an outer surface of the same uniform circumferencethroughout its length which can be used when means other than the usualupstanding collar or rim l2 are provided in the structure of the journalor bearing itself to prevent outward relative axial movement of theaxle. I have shown in Fig. 4 such a satisfactory means comprising asupplemental outer shoulder 92 on the side wall of each brass to abutthe outer annular surface 94 of the central annular indentation 9|] ofthe side wall of said journal box 32, although other types of means suchas a lip 96 projecting from the underside of the outer end S8 of thewedge 4E over the outer ends of the axle end portion 34, liner sleeve2i!" and brass 42 as shown in Figs. l0 and ll, may be employed, said lipet also functioning to assist in retaining the sleeve 2t" on the axleend portion 34. It is thus obvious that in providing this type ofstructure, the bearings or brasses 42 may be more readily removed bymerely pulling out the brass 42 over the free end of the journal 34after the box 32 has been jacked up in the well known manner and thewedge 46 released and removed, without taking off the journal box 32 atall.

It is obvious that my improved sleeve 20' may be pulled out by jackingup the journal box 32, releasing and removing the wedge 46, removing thejack, taking off the journal box 32 and pulling the worn sleeve 2t' fromthe end of the axle journal portion 34 and replacing it with a new one.It is obvious that this sleeve provides a structure which permits morefrequent and better inspections of the journal brasses in use toascertain the amount of wear thereon, and it is also apparent that allrenewals of brasses duo to their being worn away by the collar l2 willbe eliminated.

P. J. Hogan has invented a journal bearing structure, Pat. No. 2,220,717in which the journal bearingor brass which is mounted in the journalbox, has ka curved lower surface 44 supported on the cylindricaljournalling end portion 34 of the axle and has the rigid wastedefiecting guide lip I8 depending from each side thereof extendingsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the axle for adistance of most of the length of the cylindrical journalling portion 34with the inner surface and lower edge of said guide lip spaced such adistance 82 from said journal portion 34 as to dam the flow of waste 4l)to prevent waste 40 from being carried around with the r0- tating axlejournalling portion 34 as described in said patent to prevent a wastegrab, so called, between the axle journal 34 and brass journal bearingsurface 44. It has been found in practice that this structure works verywell so long as the f journal portion 34 of the axle retains itsoriginal circumference as shown in full lines in Fig, 3, but that as thejournal portion 34 of the axle wears down in use, such as to thediameters shown in dash and dash dot lines in Fig. 3, the distance 82between the surface of said journal portion and said guide lip 18increases in use so that it no longer provides as good a damming actionto prevent the oil soaked Waste 40, normally held in the compartment ofthe journal box below the axle journalling portion 34 from being carriedunder the brass 42 and between the rotating axle journalling portion 34with the detrimental results described in said patent.

In addition, the side wall of each brass is provided With the lateralprojection 84 as usual, having an inner shoulder 86 to abut the innerannular surface 8S of the central annular indentation 90 in the sidewall of said journal box 32. It is apparent, therefore, that when myinvention is used in combination With the Hogan guide lip 'i8 heretoforedescribed, that my improved sleeve provides in combination therewith astructure which will reduce the likelihood of waste grabs as thedistance 82 between the guide lip 'I8 and the worn bearing surface 54does not become suiciently large to permit waste grabs, whether myimproved sleeve be used on a worn turned down journalling portion 34 oron an initially turned down journalling portion 34, or whether sleevesare used successively over said turned down surfaces.

My invention, therefore, comprises means to maintain a proper waste grabpreventing distance '52 between said lip 'E8 and sleeve surface 54 overa long period of time, thereby providing a new combination with andproviding a device which renders more practical the structure shown andclaimed in said Hogan patent. In the Hogan construction the lower end ofeach guide lip 'I8 is preferably below the middle of the vertical radiusand Well above the axis of the journalling portion.

inasmuch as my invention tends to full out the space between the axlejournalling portion 34 and the brass liner 44, it is apparent that ittends to reduce the likelihood cf wast grabs throughout this area evenif the Hogan lip 18 be not employed.

It is apparent that I have provided a novel type of lining sleeve forrailway car axles whether worn or initially turned down which may beemployed either with or without the Hogan lip, with the advantagesexplained above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specicembodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefromwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An axle having a worn turned-down cylindrical journalling endportion, a sleeve having an outer surface of substantially the originaldiameter and circumference of the said end portion and having a wearresistant layer of hard 8 metal thereon, and an inner surface ofsubstantially the diameter of the turned-down end portion shrunk oversaid end portion, said sleeve having a smaller coeicient of expansionthan said axle to maintain said sleeve on said axle end portion.

2. In a railroad car, a wheel axle having an end journalling portion, ajournal box receiving the end journalling portion, a lining sleeve onsaid end journalling axle portion, having a Wear resistant layer of hardmetal thereon, and secured to said axle journalling portion againstrotary movement, a soft metal journal bearing member having a curvedlower surface supported on said sleeve, a retainer Wedge member having alip projecting downwardly from the outer end thereof overlying at leasta portion of the outer ends of said bearing member, lining sleeve andaxle.

3. A railroad car axle having a center portion extending outwardlybeyond a Wheel, an end journalling portion of smaller diameter and shortinwardly radially arcuately flaring portion joining said center and endportions to prevent relative outward swing of said axle, said endjournalling portion being turned down throughout its length to adiameter providing a circumference less than its desired circumference,a sleeve having an outer surface of the desired circumferential bearingsurface of said axle end portion and an inner surface of substantiallythe diameter of the turned down axle end portion having a cooperatinginner end flaring radially outward and terminating in a lip flush withthe circumference of the axle center portion covering said turned downaxle end portion with its inner end abutting the aring axle portionconnecting said axle center and end portions.

4. A railroad car axle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said liningsleeve has a closed end portion having holes to receive means to securesaid sleeve to said axle end portion against rotary movement.

FRANK S. WILLIAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 274,159 Whiting Mar. 20, 1883376,900 Morell Jan. 24, 1888 771,993 Metzger Oct. 11, 1904 1,193,434Sharpneck Aug. 1, 1916 1,288,280 Tatum Dec. 17, 1918 1,772,187 ManningAug. 5, 1930 2,220,717 Hogan May 5, 1940 2,449,662 Leeson Sept. 21, 1948FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 104,275 Australia Nov. 18, 1937

